Chalmers out to create history with Caley Jags’ class of 2019

Caley Thistle midfielder Joe Chalmers is determined to help Inverness’ class of 2019 create its own Scottish Cup history.

Inverness enjoyed arguably their greatest hour when they won the competition four years ago, with John Hughes’ side defeating Falkirk at Hampden Park to claim the club’s first major silverware.

Chalmers, who joined Caley Jags after leaving Motherwell in 2017, was part of the Inverness side which lifted the IRN-BRU Cup with a victory over Dumbarton last season. The 25-year-old feels John Robertson’s men can use that triumph to their advantage when they aim to secure a Scottish Cup last four place in tomorrow’s quarter final away to Dundee United.

Chalmers said: “It just shows what is possible. They were in the Premiership at the time and going well, so, from that perspective it is different.

“Making the semi-finals, for us, would be a massive achievement in its own right.

“It gives you some kind of inspiration but not many of the current squad were here at the time. It’s a fresh start, but we can draw on it a wee bit.

“We’re a close group in the changing room and it is quite a young team, mostly around about the same age. Last year, though some might look down on it, winning the Irn-Bru Cup gave us a taster for it.

“It is a trophy and we look back at what a brilliant day we had winning that. We can draw on little things like that just to bring that little bit of extra motivation.”

The Scottish Cup holds special significance for Chalmers, who made his home debut for Celtic in a Parkhead tie against Arbroath in 2012, with the Glasgow-born player relishing his first foray into the latter stages of the competition.

Chalmers said: “This is the furthest I’ve been in the cup. At Motherwell, we never really put any cup runs together and when I was at Celtic I wasn’t involved enough in those type of games.

“With Celtic, I started a Scottish Cup tie against Arbroath – a bad result, a 1-1 draw – but I actually played quite well in the game so it was a special day for me and one I’ll never forget.

“The Scottish Cup is always something I, personally, look forward to. It’s a chance to get away from the pressures of the league and you go into these one-off games, no matter who you play, feeling like you’ve got a chance.

“It’s exciting, even in the build-up during training. We’re looking forward to Sunday.”

United remain firmly in contention for the Championship title, with Inverness 10 points further behind in fourth place.

Despite Caley Jags boss Robertson claiming his United counterpart Robbie Neilson has double his playing budget, Chalmers insists the Highlanders believe they can be a match for anyone on their day.

He added: “What clubs’ budgets are have no effect on us as players. It is something none of us control. Just because you spend more money doesn’t always mean you have better players.

“With the way the manager has gone about it, he has brought in a lot of good players that maybe weren’t doing quite so well at their previous club.

“He has brought us all together and built a good team.

“On the park, what other people are getting paid has no bearing at all. When you go out there, you feel you’re as good as anybody and can beat anybody.”